WTT Philadelphia Freedoms

Philadelphia Freedoms Selects Tennis Legend Martina Navratilova in the WTT Player Draft

Published on April 2, 2003 under World TeamTennis (WTT)
Philadelphia Freedoms News Release


Philadelphia, PA (April 2, 2003) – The Philadelphia Freedoms are expecting another season of great tennis action with the addition of tennis legend Martina Navratilova. The Freedoms selected Navratilova as their first round draft pick in the WTT Marquee Draft held today via teleconference from the League's New York City headquarters. Navratilova's successful resurgence into tennis following a six-year retirement is highlighted by her recent 2003 Australian Mixed Doubles championship with partner Leander Paes. Navratilova has won 167 singles titles and 168 doubles titles in her career. She is considered by many as the greatest tennis player of all-time and is widely acknowledged as raising the level of women's tennis with her athleticism. By capturing her 166th career doubles titles at Madrid in 2002 with partner Natasha Zvereva, she became the oldest player to win a singles or doubles title on the WTA Tour at the age of 45. She is a phenomenon with her remarkable ability to still capture titles when most of her competitors are half her age.

Tennis great Boris Becker and female superstar Anna Kournikova will also be visiting Philadelphia this summer, on the opposite side of the net from the Freedoms. Becker, who will be playing for the New York Buzz, will be making his WTT Pro League debut. Kournikova, who was the top pick in the 2003 WTT Draft, will be playing for the Kansas City Explorers. The WTT schedule will be released by the end of April.

"The tradition of high caliber tennis is a part of Philadelphia's rich tennis history, and WTT will continue to bring the best level of tennis to Philadelphia," said team General Manager Jeff Harrison.

Becker, a 2003 Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee, became a household name as the youngest male player ever to win Wimbledon in 1985 at the age of 17 years and 7 months. He has won 49 singles titles and 15 doubles titles in his career. 2003 will be his first season playing for a WTT Professional Team.

Kournikova, the femme fatale of women's tennis, has won 16 doubles titles and 2 Grand Slam doubles titles. Even though she has been plagued with a recurring left foot injury for the last two years, Kournikova is still a fan favorite. She is the most popular sports figure according to website searches by Lycos users and was also selected to the 1998 People Magazine 50 Most Beautiful People List, one of only two athletes to make that year's list.

The Philadelphia Freedoms selected Vera Zvonareva with their first pick in the WTT Roster Draft which followed the Marquee Draft. Zvonareva is a young Russian player who stormed her way through the WTA Tour Rankings after making her professional debut in September 2000 in Moscow. In 2000 and 2001, she won the Orange Bowl for Under 18s and the Yucatan and Continental Cups in 2001 She is currently ranked #33 in singles on the WTA Tour and is a baseline player. "Vera is an energetic player who is a great addition to the Freedoms," said Harrison.

Also drafted was Elena Tatarkova from the Ukraine and two Australian men, Nathan Healey and Andrew Florent. Elena has had a career high ranking of 45th in singles and 9th in doubles. She is a baseline player whose strongest shot is her backhand. She is currently coached by the mother of the former top 10 player, Andrei Medvedev. Healey and Florent are both top 100 male doubles players. Healey just recently won the doubles in Sydney with his doubles partner, Paul Hanley. Healey previously played doubles with his good mate, Lleyton Hewitt until Healey had to take time off for a knee injury in 1999. He is still a strong singles contender but has also found his nitch in doubles. Andrew Florent is from Melbourne and has reached a doubles ranking high of 20 in the world. In 1988 he was the runner-up in the Australian Open junior singles tournament. He spent most of his career playing with Josh Eagle where they finished No. 8 in the ATP Team Race in 2000. For more information about the Philadelphia Freedoms or to purchase tickets for the 2003 season, call 866-WTT-TIXS or visit us at www.philadelphiafreedoms.com

Billie Jean King and Larry King originated World TeamTennis and its unique gender-equity team concept in the early 70's. Since its inception, some of tennis' greatest names have played in the League, including Venus and Serena Williams, Monica Seles, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, Lindsay Davenport, Andy Roddick and Chris Evert. The format features team comprised of two men, two women, and a coach. Each match consists of five sets, with one set each of men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles. For more information on World TeamTennis, visit us at www.WTT.com

Advanta, a highly-focused financial services provider serving the needs of small businesses, is proud to bring high profile tennis events to the Philadelphia area, sponsoring three World TeamTennis Teams including the Philadelphia Freedoms and hosting the October 27 – November 3, 2003 Advanta Championships, a WTA Tour Event. Advanta also has a long tradition of supporting tennis-related charities, including the 2002 World TeamTennis Smash Hits, featuring Pete Sampras and Andre Agaassi, which raised a record-breaking $700,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and local AIDS organizations, Philadelphia Wheelchair Tennis and Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education (formerly Philadelphia Youth Tennis).

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